Japan Football Association (JFA) honorary president Kozo Tashima has announced his intention to contest the FIFA presidency in March 2027, setting up a potential challenge to incumbent Gianni Infantino.

The 68-year-old former Japan international made the announcement on Thursday, November 5, following a meeting of the JFA board in Tokyo. He said he had the full backing of the Japanese football governing body.

Tashima said his campaign would focus on promoting honesty, integrity and sound governance in world football.

“I am grateful that I can make this announcement with the full support of the JFA,” he said, according to Reuters.

He added that his decision was driven by a desire to communicate the values he believes Japanese football represents and called for greater fairness within FIFA.

Tashima served as president of the JFA from 2016 to 2024, when former Japan captain Tsuneyasu Miyamoto succeeded him. He has also been a member of the FIFA Council since 2015.

His announcement makes him the second declared challenger to Infantino, following former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega, who announced his intention to enter the race in October.

However, Tashima must still secure formal nominations from at least five of FIFA’s 211 member associations by November 18 to qualify as a candidate. He will also be subject to an eligibility review.

The FIFA presidential election is scheduled for March 18, 2027, in Rabat, Morocco.

Infantino, who has led FIFA since 2016, is seeking another term amid criticism over the organisation’s governance and some of its recent commercial and disciplinary decisions.

His position has nevertheless received support from influential football associations. The Asian Football Confederation endorsed his bid for another term at its congress in Tokyo in October, strengthening his support across the region.

Tashima’s entry into the race could complicate the contest, particularly as European football authorities have been seeking a candidate to challenge Infantino.

The FIFA presidency is decided by representatives of the organisation’s member associations, with each association entitled to vote at the congress.